Franciscan Union

The Franciscan Union is a union of religious communities, and is open only to Communities, individual members of a Franciscan Order and Franciscan hermits within the individual Catholic Apostolic Churches. The orders that are members are :- The Ecumenical Order of St Francis (TOR), the Franciscan Missionaries of the Cross; and Order of St Francis. The countries are Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The agreement of Union between Franciscan Communities, individuals and hermits, between the Ecumenical Order of St Francis (Australia), the Order of St Francis Servants (USA), Franciscan Missionaries of the Cross (Australia) and Franciscan Missionaries of the Cross (UK).Whereas: each Franciscan recognises the membership and independence of the others and maintains its own.

Whereas: each Franciscan community agrees to admit members of the other communities to participate in the sacraments.

Whereas: the Union of Franciscans do not require from any Franciscan community the acceptance of all Rules, Constitutions, and Statutes, or Doctrinal opinion, Sacramental devotion, or liturgical practice characteristic to the others, but implies that each believe the others to hold all essential elements of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith.

Now therefore; we duly authorise representatives of our respective communities, as a sign of recognition that we are in mutual spiritual kinship and support within our Franciscan Communities, and Catholic Apostolic Church.

Do hereby; Agree to this agreement of Franciscan Union, to be valid fro the day when all parties have placed their hand or sign upon this document. The document has been signed by The Most Reverend Br Paul Francis (eosf) Minister General of the Ecumenical Order of St Francis(TOR) 13/7/2011(Australia); The Right Rev Br Paul Zimmerman (fmc) Minister General of the Franciscan Missionaries of the cross 18/7/2011 (Australia). The Right Rev Br Andrew Hall (fmc) Provincial of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Cross 25/7/2011 (UK) and the Very Rev Sr Maryann Gonzales (ofs) Minister General of the Order of Franciscan Servants 31/7/2011(USA) This site is in construction and as time goes by more information will be added.